County Encourages Citizens to Take Precautions with Cold Weather

With a forecast of below freezing conditions for an extended period over
the next several days, Fairfax County Government encourages residents to
take precautions to stay safe in cold weather.

Wind Chill

The wind chill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when
outside. According to the National Weather Service, wind chill is based
on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As
the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin
temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the
wind makes it feel much colder. For example, if the temperature is 0
degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is
minus 19 degrees Fahrenheit. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin
can freeze in 30 minutes.

If you are outside, the American Red Cross encourages you to:

Dress appropriately. The air temperature does not have to be below
freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia
and frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even
when the temperature is not that low.

Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Avoid
overdressing or overexertion that can lead to heat illness.

Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears, since most body heat
is lost through your head.

Wear Mittens as they provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite
by keeping your feet warm and dry, and to maintain your footing in ice
and snow.

Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature
with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking
caffeine or alcohol if you or someone you are trying to help has
hypothermia or frostbite.

Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical
condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek
medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

The Fairfax County Health Department’s Environmental Health division
reminds citizens that maintaining a minimum house temperature in winter
is more than just for comfort – it’s Virginia law. The Virginia Code
requires that heating systems deliver enough heat so that a home can be
kept at a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit between Oct. 15 and May 1.

“Residents, especially senior citizens, in homes that fall below 65
degrees are at a higher risk of hypothermia and succumbing to extreme
winter temperatures,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., Fairfax County
health director. The Health Department strongly encourages citizens to
check on elderly neighbors in winter months.

If the main heating unit fails during extreme cold weather, homeowners
can use space heaters in an emergency to provide a source of warmth.
However, the Health Department advises extreme caution when using space
heaters to avoid overloading electrical circuits and house fires.
Citizens should consult with the Fire Department on the proper use of
space heaters.

Seeking Shelter

Coordinated Services Planning within the county’s Department of Systems
Management for Human Services operates an assistance referral line. The
number, 703-222-0880, TTY 711 (English) and 703-631-3366, TTY 711
(Spanish), can be used for families seeking shelter, Monday-Friday from 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Citizens needing assistance after 4:30 p.m. or on the
weekend should call CrisisLink at 703-527-4077, TTY 711.

For individuals needing shelter, the county’s three shelters normally
run overflow services during the winter season. When and how they accept
individuals is different at each facility and persons needing help
because of the cold weather should contact their nearest shelter to
determine availability:

Additionally, every winter the Falls Church Winter Shelter provides
shelter from the Monday after Thanksgiving through March 31. It is
located at 217 Gordon Road in Falls Church; telephone 703-534-7200, TTY
711. All of these shelters are for overnight stays only and can be
reached 24 hours a day.

Fire Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, during calendar
year 1999, January was the peak month for home fire deaths. As families
possibly turn to alternative heating sources during the winter weather,
the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recommends the following
precautions:

Have an alternate heat source available in case your furnace fails. Be
sure to allow proper ventilation and place it in a safe location away
from flammable objects. You should have at least

3 feet of clearance between your alternate heat source and anything
that could burn.

Always turn off alternate heat sources before leaving or retiring for
the evening. This includes extinguishing the embers in the fireplace.

Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace and burn only clean wood.

Use generators only as independent power sources. Keep them outside and
run a cord inside. Don’t connect generators to main service panels.
This could injure or kill utility workers trying to restore power.

Have a battery-powered weather radio or commercial radio to receive
vital emergency information, along with a flashlight with extra
batteries.

Fireplace and Wood Burning Stove

The immediate area in front of a fireplace (approximately 3 feet)
should not have a rug, carpet or exposed wood flooring.

Allow enough clearance between a wood burning stove and combustible
materials such as walls, floors and ceilings.

Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire.

Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering.

Use a fireplace screen to prevent any sparks from reaching out and
igniting nearby objects.

Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.

When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on
the gas.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood and dispose of the cooled ashes in a
closed metal container outside of your home.

Never leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace.

Portable Space Heater

Allow at least 3 feet between the heating equipment and anything that
is flammable.

Never leave a heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to
sleep, and do not leave children or pets unattended around any heating
source.

Don’t use an extension cord with a portable heater. The current from
the heater could melt the cord and cause a fire.

Kerosene Heater

Make sure the room has proper ventilation.

Do not use any fluid that is not recommended for your heater. Refuel
outside and only after the heater has cooled down.

Check the wick every couple of weeks during the heating season. If the
wick is dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Since a kerosene heater has a constant open flame, it should not be
used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays,
gasoline or any type of oil.

Ice Safety

Ice skating on county ponds, lakes and retention ponds is prohibited for
safety reasons. Due to our fluctuating temperatures, it is not safe to
venture on any ice-covered lake, stream or stormwater retention pond.
Even if the ice is a foot thick in one area, it can be one inch thick
just a few yards away. It’s impossible to judge the strength of ice by
its appearance, thickness, daily temperature or snow cover alone. Ice
strength is actually dependent on all four factors, plus water depth
under the ice, the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents
and distribution of the load on the ice.

If you fall through the ice, don’t panic. If there is someone with you,
have them lie down on the ice to distribute weight over a wider area and
pass you the end of a branch, rope, belt, coat sleeve, or whatever is
available to help pull you onto the ice, where you can roll or wiggle to
safety. Several people can form a human chain with the lightest reaching
out to you. If you're alone, get your arms onto the ice and kick hard
with your feet to help lift you onto the ice; then roll to safety.

Pet Safety

Pets should be kept indoors during winter months, and at the very least,
outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. The pet’s house should be
elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door
of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet and snow. Shelters should be
insulated or heated. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should
be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a
draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off
the floor.

Dogs lose their scent in the cold, so don’t let them off their leash or
they may get lost.

Snow and salt should be removed from pets’ paws immediately. Frostbitten
skin is red or gray. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten
areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as
soon as possible for further care.
Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm so feed your pet a
little more during cold winter months. Be sure your pet’s water doesn’t
freeze while outdoors by using a heated water source.

Cats, house pets and wildlife may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth
during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your
vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside.

Freezing Pipes and Plumbing

The Fairfax County Water Authority encourages residents to take
preventative actions to protect home plumbing. These measures include:

Locate and mark the main water cutoff valve for your home. This cutoff
valve is usually found near where the water line comes into your house.
Damage from running water can be minimized if you can turn off this
valve quickly.

Make sure the water line to outside faucets is turned off and the line
is drained.

Consider wrapping or insulating your water pipes, especially those
pipes near outside walls, under the house, or in the attic. Insulation
supplies are available at your local home improvement/hardware store.

Eliminate drafts. Check around the home for areas where water supply
lines are located in unheated areas and take measures to prevent the
flow of cold air in these areas. Look in the basement, crawl space,
attic, garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and
cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply
line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can freeze if water is
not running through the pipe and the water temperature becomes cold.

If your water pipes do freeze, never try to thaw a pipe with an open
flame or torch. You can use a hair dryer or portable heater, but always
be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing
water.

If you will be away from your home, keep the thermostat at a reasonable
temperature to make sure all areas with water pipes are kept above
freezing.

If you suspect you have a frozen water meter, call the Fairfax County
Water Authority for help. Service crews are available 24 hours a day
and will respond as soon as possible to your request. You can reach the
Water Authority’s Customer Service Department at 703-698-5800, TTY 711.
If after hours, the emergency number is 703-698-5613, TTY 711.
Additional information can be found at www.fcwa.org.

If you are vacating your home because you have lost your heat source,
locate and turn off your main water cutoff valve. After the valve is
turned off, open a faucet on each level of your home to allow for
expansion should the undrained water freeze. If you are staying in your
home or will be monitoring your home frequently, allow a faucet to drip
cold water slowly. At a minimum, the dripping faucet should be the one
that is the greatest distance from your main water cutoff valve. Also,
consider allowing a slow drip in areas that are least protected from
the cold (basements, crawl spaces, attics and garage).

Additional Information and Resources

In cases of extreme weather, Fairfax County citizens concerned about the
safety or well being of children, elderly adults or adults with
disabilities can contact Fairfax County Child Protective Services at
703-324-7400, TTY 711 or Adult Protective Services at 703-324-7450, TTY
711. These hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additional information from the Water Authority can be found online at
the Seasonal Tips for Your Plumbing page at
www.fcwa.org/current/winter_tips.htm. Fire safety information is
available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/fr/homepage.htm.

Further information and links to additional resources is also available
on the emergency information page on the Fairfax County Web site at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency. Residents may also call the Fairfax
County Government Emergency Information Line, which is also available 24
hours a day with recorded information, at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL
COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE
OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS